A York councillor has slammed a brewery over its decision to close a local pub.

Fishergate ward's Cllr Conrad Whitcroft has penned a letter to beer baron and owner of Samuel Smith's brewery - Humphrey Smith.

Cllr Whitcroft said he decided to write the letter after local pub The Wellington Inn closed its doors earlier this month.

The Press reported on the closure, which was the latest in a series of management changes in recent years for the longstanding pub.

Samuel Smith's didn't respond to a request for comment at the time - but a poster advertising for a new management couple was seen in the pub's window.

The Wellington Inn, Alma Terrace (Image: Harry Booth)

Cllr Whitcroft said that the brewery "has a history of sudden and unexplained pub closures". 

In his letter to Humphrey Smith, Cllr Whitcroft said: "I am the councillor for the ward that includes the Wellington Inn on Alma Terrace. I am writing to protest in the strongest possible terms against its recent closure.

"This pub has been a thriving centre of the community where people from across York and beyond are made to feel at home."

The Wellington Inn has stood in Alma Terrace for more than 60 years.

Cllr Conrad Whitcroft (Image: Supplied) Cllr Whitcroft went on to praise the former management of the Wellington Inn, citing its collaboration with the British Sign Language Organisation.

"I would encourage you to reopen this pub at the earliest opportunity with the reinstatement of the management team," he said.

"Many of my residents feel that in doing this, you will drive long-term custom away in the communities that your brewery has been happily serving until now.

"I want to stress the Welly is an important feature in the local community and I’m keen to do whatever I can to see it reopened."

Since being voted in as a councillor, Cllr Whitcroft has been part of the campaign that saw the prospective McDonald's in Fulford Road refused planning permission.

Samuel Smith's brewery - which currently has other pubs in York which are closed such as The York Arms and The Brown Cow - has been approached for comment in response to Cllr Whitcroft's letter.